Yer it does look a bit prehistoric I must admit, his spike is a bit too big too. This is why I lashed it up at this point to get some feedback. Cheers, I'll work on it. I think it's the wing shape, it was itentional but on reflection isnt quite right is it.
oh and the phoenix similarity is a major part of the idea, with relation to the club kinda thing. Again if folk think it's shite it'll go.
Looking at it though, the shape of the wings isn't that far off, I think it's because you've made them solid that it doesn't work so well. If you look at the one on the crest, it's got that feathered effect which would make this one look more like a Liverbird. If anything, perhaps a little less up-curve on the shape of them.
Could also benefit from a sprig of green in the Liverbirds mouth (is it seaweed? I should know this, but my brains not working), as the head is generally the right shape, but because of the angle and the straight neck it's more reminiscent of the pterodactyl. You could take a bit off the spike, but I wouldn't go too mad.
I don't think the phoenix idea is shite personally, I can see where you're going with it and it might just work. I'd see about feathering the wings first, if it were me. Not that it would be, because I can't draw to save my life